Watch me geek out:
I recieved my official letter of acceptance to the Asian Studies Progam at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan. I'll be there August 24ish to December 15is. I plan on taking Reading and Writing Japanese (1 or 2 depending on assessment), Speaking Japanese (1 or 2 depending on assessment), and two other courses. One will probably be on Japanese fiction, and another will be this:
(Note: I get to watch and study Spirited Away. In Japan. Also, I have an erection.)
NEW JAPANESE CINEMA 1995-2005
Dr. Paul Berry
Japanese films have had a wide international audience since Kurosawa’s
1950 prize-winning film Rashomon. Although recent films from Japan have
again been capturing attention at international film festivals, only a small fraction
of the popular films of Japan have been seen by foreign audiences. This course
examines a wide range of recent films - some much discussed in the West, others
little known - that represent a variety of the most popular genres and directors
active today. Readings and lectures will introduce not only the director’s work
but the cultural and literary backgrounds of the individual films. Genres include
love stories, suspense, period drama, horror, anime, and fantasy. Some aspects of
film and cultural studies will augment the analysis and appreciation of works.
This course does not assume a background in film studies.
FILM LIST
Iwai Shunji 1963-, Swallowtail, 1996
Oshima Nagisa 1932-, Gohatto (Taboo, 1999)
Miyazaki Hayao 1941-, Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away, 2002)
Oshii Mamoru 1951-, Kokaku kidotai (Ghost in the Shell, 1995)
Morita Yoshimitsu 1950-, Shitsurakuen (Paradise Lost, 1997)
Nakae Isamu 1963-, Reisei to jonetsu no aida Twixt Calm and Passion, 2001)
Takenaka Naoto 1956-, Tokyo biyori (Fine Weather in Tokyo, 1997)
Kitano Takeshi 1948-, Hanabi (Fireworks, 1997)
Kurosawa Kiyoshi 1955-, Kairo (Pulse, 2001)
Higuchinsky 1965-, Uzumaki, (Spiral, 2000)
Tsukamoto Shin’ya 1960-, Soseiji (Gemini, 1999)
Koreeda Hirokazu 1962-, Wonderful Life (Afterlife, 1998)
READING
Readings include background information on the directors, cast, and films.
Additional readings on film studies and popular culture will be used to develop
interpretive approaches to the films.
GRADING
Five short papers comparing five pairs of films 40%
A final paper of roughly 10 pages 45%
Class participation 15%
(Note: I get to watch and study Spirited Away. In Japan. Also, I have an erection.)
NEW JAPANESE CINEMA 1995-2005
Dr. Paul Berry
Japanese films have had a wide international audience since Kurosawa’s
1950 prize-winning film Rashomon. Although recent films from Japan have
again been capturing attention at international film festivals, only a small fraction
of the popular films of Japan have been seen by foreign audiences. This course
examines a wide range of recent films - some much discussed in the West, others
little known - that represent a variety of the most popular genres and directors
active today. Readings and lectures will introduce not only the director’s work
but the cultural and literary backgrounds of the individual films. Genres include
love stories, suspense, period drama, horror, anime, and fantasy. Some aspects of
film and cultural studies will augment the analysis and appreciation of works.
This course does not assume a background in film studies.
FILM LIST
Iwai Shunji 1963-, Swallowtail, 1996
Oshima Nagisa 1932-, Gohatto (Taboo, 1999)
Miyazaki Hayao 1941-, Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away, 2002)
Oshii Mamoru 1951-, Kokaku kidotai (Ghost in the Shell, 1995)
Morita Yoshimitsu 1950-, Shitsurakuen (Paradise Lost, 1997)
Nakae Isamu 1963-, Reisei to jonetsu no aida Twixt Calm and Passion, 2001)
Takenaka Naoto 1956-, Tokyo biyori (Fine Weather in Tokyo, 1997)
Kitano Takeshi 1948-, Hanabi (Fireworks, 1997)
Kurosawa Kiyoshi 1955-, Kairo (Pulse, 2001)
Higuchinsky 1965-, Uzumaki, (Spiral, 2000)
Tsukamoto Shin’ya 1960-, Soseiji (Gemini, 1999)
Koreeda Hirokazu 1962-, Wonderful Life (Afterlife, 1998)
READING
Readings include background information on the directors, cast, and films.
Additional readings on film studies and popular culture will be used to develop
interpretive approaches to the films.
GRADING
Five short papers comparing five pairs of films 40%
A final paper of roughly 10 pages 45%
Class participation 15%